Head of Standalone, Concepts & Experiences

Wonder

Wonder

New York, NY, USA
USD 187k-211k / year + Equity
Posted on Jul 11, 2025

About the Role

As Head of Standalone Concepts & Experiences, you’ll lead the strategy and operations for Wonder’s standalone restaurants, bars, and experience-driven venues. This includes everything from fast casual eateries to full-service dining rooms, cocktail bars, and immersive speakeasy-style spaces. You’ll play a critical role in shaping new concepts, bringing them to market, and scaling them sustainably—all while curating memorable guest experiences and ensuring alignment with Wonder’s core brand ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee multi-unit operations across a portfolio of standalone concepts, ensuring operational excellence, financial performance, and standout guest experiences.

  • Lead the creation, launch, and evolution of new concepts—from menu and service design to atmosphere, talent, and storytelling.

  • Manage alcohol and beverage programs for full-service restaurants, bars, and speakeasies—ensuring compliance, profitability, and creative excellence in cocktails, wine, and beer selections.

  • Own event programming and execution, including live music, ticketed events, private dining, and local community engagement—working with performers, vendors, and marketing teams to curate dynamic experiences.

  • Act as the P&L owner for each concept, leveraging data and insights to optimize performance, staffing, and unit economics.

  • Ensure all standalone concepts align with Wonder’s broader brand vision, including opportunities to integrate signature Wonder brands, menus, or chef partnerships in new formats.

  • Hire, train, and develop General Managers and in-restaurant leadership teams, fostering high-performance, hospitality, and innovation.

  • Drive the success of new restaurant openings, supporting everything from operational setup and recruitment to launch execution and post-opening optimization.

  • Collaborate cross-functionally with culinary, design, marketing, product, legal, and real estate teams to deliver aligned, guest-centric outcomes.

  • Ensure regulatory compliance for food safety, labor laws, and alcohol service, including licensing and responsible beverage programs.

  • Continuously evolve operations by identifying inefficiencies, piloting new approaches, and embedding feedback loops for improvement.

The Experience You Bring

  • 8+ years of multi-unit leadership experience in restaurants, including new concept development and full-service operations

  • Proven track record in managing beverage programs, bar operations, and alcohol compliance

  • Experience producing or managing events, from intimate gatherings to high-volume activations with live entertainment

  • Strong financial acumen and operational rigor, with ownership of complex P&Ls

  • Ability to balance creative vision with scalable systems and consistent execution

  • Excellent communication and team leadership skills across diverse restaurant formats

  • Deep understanding of both hospitality and brand storytelling, with a guest-first mindset

  • Passion for building teams, developing talent, and delivering hospitality at every level

Requirements:

  • Must be 21+ and legally authorized to work in the U.S.

  • Ability to travel frequently across regions

  • Must have a current Food Handlers Certification (or obtain within 30 days)

  • Experience with alcohol service compliance and/or TIPs certification preferred

  • Open availability, including nights, weekends, and key event windows

Salary: $187,000 - $211,000

Benefits

We offer a competitive salary package including equity and 401K. Additionally, we provide multiple medical, dental, and vision plans to meet all of our employees' needs as well as many benefits and perks that are not listed.

A final note

At Wonder, we believe that in order to build the best team, we must hire using an objective lens. We are committed to fair hiring practices where we hire people for their potential and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. As such, we do not discriminate or make decisions based on your race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, marital status, disability, or any other protected class. If you have a disability, please let your recruiter know how we can make your interview process work best for you.

We look forward to hearing from you! We'll contact you via email or text to schedule interviews and share information about your candidacy.